Independent travel advisor / MLM

[Floofatron]

So three people I know are suddenly advertising themselves as travel agents on social media. I’ve also seen some ‘celebs’ do it. It’s a pyramid scheme as one of them is also trying to recruit people to be in her team.
Question 1: who would ask someone who is not a proper travel agent to book their holiday? Surely you do it yourself or go to an actual travel agent?
Question 2: how much are these MLM agents charging and is anyone actually making money from it?

Tbh I prefer to use small independent agents so, as long as they have the relevant protections (ATOL etc) I would probably use one without realising. How do you identify it as an MLM rather than an independent?

Well because all these people are professionals in other jobs (teacher, hair dresser for example) and the spiel is all very similar. One is asking people to join her team. I’m just not sure what they know that you or I don’t? I’m not sure I’d trust them with a complicated multi stop trip and if it was a simple package holiday surely I’d book it myself through TUI or whoever.

Have found this older thread about it which answers my questions!
www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5426313-travel-agent-mlm

This does my head in. People I've not seen in years now getting in contact, pretending to just ask how I am...then suddenly the pitch starts! I'm seeing so many MLM similarities.

Last year I had just been holiday and an old school friend got in touch asking how the hotel was as she was looking at booking that area with her child. I replied and told her everything (the hotel was great) however when I told her about 1 small issue, she suddenly flipped, stopped talking about her holiday and started asking why I dont book a more expensive hotel through her as it's cheaper...and then why don't I become a travel agent myself and make my own income.
Haven't seen the woman since school (now in my 40s). She's blocked now!

I have 3 others doing the same. Ugh!

@12345abcdefg that is so gross. I’ve had old school ‘friends’ approach me about selling other stuff, not holidays, and it’s the sneaky way they start off the chat which drives me nuts!

@Floofatrondon’t think I’ve come across any, but I don’t use social media much. The only one that’s flagged as “odd” to me recently looks legit, they have vacancies on their website and no upfront fees.

I agree re: a complicated itinerary and also about booking directly if it’s easy.

@PurBal I have nothing against independent travel agents, of course not!

I think the sort of holiday I want I probably wouldn’t. If it was straightforward I would do it myself - eg USA / Australia / europe.

anything else I would probably use a more country specific agent - I am thinking about maybe Mexico / South America and would go to an agent that specialises in that / a more long haul tailored experience type agent.